Rebuilding Chile, One Wine At A Time

Xplorador Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Chile

Xplorador Cahrdonnay 2009, Chile

Cost: $7-9

What: These refreshing wines are terrific values, offering crisp, clean flavors at less than $10 a bottle. They are perfect for this time of year, when we suffer through the oppressive summer heat. The Xplorador label comes from the respected Concha y Toro family of wines.

Buying these tasty wines has the added benefit of helping the wine industry in Chile, which was hit hard by the devastating earthquake in February. Bottle Report is committed to drawing attention to the Chilean wines whenever we can because they have so many good wines at great prices.

The Xplorador wine delivers at a level far beyond what you would expect at this price. Each wine is typical of its varietal, presenting the more pleasing aspects of the grape.

The Chardonnay is a vibrant yellow with aromas of tropical fruit. It’s a medium-bodied wine that doesn’t overpower you. The rich flavors are smooth tropical fruit with a crisp, pleasant finish. It’s a well-rounded wine with everything in balance. It is aged for two months in stainless steel tanks.

The Sauvignon Blanc is a sharper wine, green-yellow in color with citrus aromas. There is plenty of acid to balance the lemon and grapefruit flavors. It is a bit lighter in weight than the Chardonnay and works better as an appetizer wine. The wine undergoes a swift fermentation process for two months in stainless steel tanks.

Winery: Concha y Toro has a proud history, dating to 1883 when a local politician and businessman named Don Melchor Concha y Toro brought French grapevines from Bordeaux to the Maipo Valley in Chile. He brought in a French expert to make his first wines. The business flourished and became a successful public company, now one of the largest wine businesses in the world.

Xplorador chief winemaker Hector “Tito” Urzua has spent 20 years searching for the best vineyard sites for his wines. He has studied vineyard practices in France and Australia as well as Chile and merges that traditional knowledge with modern practices to produce fruit-forward wines.

The coastal vineyards allow the grapes to ripen slowly as the ocean breezes meet the cool Andes Mountains air, moderating the hot, Chilean sun. Calcium-rich soils in the Sauvignon Blanc vineyards bring the refreshing mineral quality to the wine. The also winery also offers four reds under the Xplorador label: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carmenere and Merlot in the same price range. They are all good wines and outstanding values.

Goes with: I tried both of these wines with homemade fried shrimp and French fries, and they both worked well. The Chardonnay matched a little better, its buttery smoothness balancing the horseradish cocktail sauce I used with the shrimp. The next night I tried both with Sloppy Joes, and this time the Sauvignon Blanc was the better match, though both were good.

The Chardonnay should pair with all kinds of fresh shellfish, roast pork, pasta with a cream sauce and smooth cheese. The Sauvignon Blanc also will match fresh seafood and shellfish, roast chicken or pork, salads and spicy foods. I like both of them as sipping wines, perfect for relaxing on the porch after a hot, busy day.